Psaumes - Caput 72

Psaumes 72.1 psalmus Asaph quam bonus Israhel Deus his qui recto sunt corde Psaumes 72.2 mei autem paene moti sunt pedes paene effusi sunt gressus mei Psaumes 72.3 quia zelavi super iniquis pacem peccatorum videns Psaumes 72.4 quia non est respectus morti eorum et firmamentum in plaga eorum Psaumes 72.5 in labore hominum non sunt et cum hominibus non flagellabuntur Psaumes 72.6 ideo tenuit eos superbia operti sunt iniquitate et impietate sua Psaumes 72.7 prodiet quasi ex adipe iniquitas eorum transierunt in affectum cordis Psaumes 72.8 cogitaverunt et locuti sunt in nequitia iniquitatem in excelso locuti sunt Psaumes 72.9 posuerunt in caelum os suum et lingua eorum transivit in terra Psaumes 72.10 ideo convertetur populus meus hic et dies pleni invenientur in eis Psaumes 72.11 et dixerunt quomodo scit Deus et si est scientia in Excelso Psaumes 72.12 ecce ipsi peccatores et abundantes in saeculo obtinuerunt divitias Psaumes 72.13 et dixi; ergo sine causa iustificavi cor meum et lavi inter innocentes manus meas Psaumes 72.14 et fui flagellatus tota die et castigatio mea in matutino Psaumes 72.15 si dicebam narrabo sic ecce nationem filiorum tuorum reprobavi Psaumes 72.16 et existimabam cognoscere hoc labor est ante me Psaumes 72.17 donec intrem in sanctuarium Dei intellegam in novissimis eorum Psaumes 72.18 verumtamen propter dolos posuisti eis deiecisti eos dum adlevarentur Psaumes 72.19 quomodo facti sunt in desolationem subito defecerunt perierunt propter iniquitatem suam Psaumes 72.20 velut somnium surgentium Domine in civitate tua imaginem ipsorum ad nihilum rediges Psaumes 72.21 quia inflammatum est cor meum et renes mei commutati sunt Psaumes 72.22 et ego ad nihilum redactus sum et nescivi Psaumes 72.23 ut iumentum factus sum apud te et ego semper tecum Psaumes 72.24 tenuisti manum dexteram meam et in voluntate tua deduxisti me et cum gloria suscepisti me Psaumes 72.25 quid enim mihi est in caelo et a te quid volui super terram Psaumes 72.26 defecit caro mea et cor meum Deus cordis mei et pars mea Deus in aeternum Psaumes 72.27 quia ecce qui elongant se a te peribunt perdidisti omnem qui fornicatur abs te Psaumes 72.28 mihi autem adherere Deo bonum est ponere in Domino Deo spem meam ut adnuntiem omnes praedicationes tuas in portis filiae Sion;

Psaumes : Caput 72

Psalm 72: A Prayer for the Ideal King

Psalm 72, attributed to Solomon, is a profound prayer calling for the coming of the ideal king and his kingdom. It raises the crucial question: What characteristics define a just government? This prophetic text depicts a reign marked by justice, compassion for the poor, and universal dominion. It addresses themes of peace, prosperity, and global worship, echoing the perfect reign of the Messiah.

The Messianic Dimensions of Psalm 72

Let us explore together five biblical passages that shed light on the messianic dimensions of this visionary psalm:

1. Solomon's Request for Wisdom

1 Kings 3:9: "Give your servant an understanding heart to judge your people, that he may discern wisely between good and evil; for who is able to judge your great people?" Solomon's request for wisdom in governing aligns perfectly with the ideal of righteous kingship described in Psalm 72.

2. The Justice of the Messiah

Isaiah 11:4: "But with righteousness he will judge the poor and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; he will strike the earth with the staff of his mouth and with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked." This description of the Messiah's righteous reign reflects the central themes of Psalm 72.

3. The Proclamation of Universal Reign

Revelation 11:15: "The seventh angel sounded, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, 'The kingdom of this world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.'" This verse echoes the vision of the universal reign of the righteous king, as described in Psalm 72.

4. The Promise of Peace

Micah 4:4: "But they shall sit each one under his own vine and under his own fig tree, and none shall make them afraid, for the mouth of the Lord of hosts has spoken." This vision of peace and prosperity under a just government aligns with the themes of Psalm 72.

5. The Worship of the Righteous King

Matthew 2:11: "And when they had entered the house, they saw the boy with Mary his mother. And falling down, they worshipped him; and opening their treasures, they gave him their gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh." The Magi's worship of the Christ child reflects the universal worship of the righteous king described in Psalm 72.

Thus, Psalm 72 invites us to meditate on the divine nature of justice and peace, and to aspire to a world where the reign of the Messiah is fully realized.